| Rostov Jewish School Accredited by Gov't | | |
(FJC.ru) Last week, the city of Rostov-on-Don hosted one of the most remarkable events in the history of national education and the promotion of national cultures in this region. Jewish children re-commenced their studies in the city’s only national Jewish school accredited by the state education department. The Ohr Avner Chabad Day School is also marking its tenth anniversary in the newly-redeemed historical building, which had belonged to the Jewish community in the past.
This three-storey brick building was built in the latter 19th and early 20th century on land that belonged to the Main Choral Synagogue. It hosted the Talmud Torah College, a library, and a soup kitchen. Like all religious buildings, it was nationalized in 1924 to house the local Department of Education. Up until recently it hosted different educational institutions until finally being returned to the Jewish community of Rostov-on-Don.
80 years after the community was deprived of this building, it has finally been returned to the local community as a result of immense work on the part of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia and local community leaders. In addition to an educational complex, it will also host a Jewish Community Center that is to unite all Jewish organizations operating in the Rostov Region. Just six month ago, nobody would have thought that this building would be ready to welcome its first students. With the help of Ohr Avner Foundation and its president Lev Leviev, the building underwent broad reconstruction works, with its main constructions being fortified and the entire building adapted to the needs of children’s educational institutions.
The inauguration involved top officials, including Sergei Yepifantsev from the Russian President’s Envoy Office, Rostov Region Vice-Governor Alexander Bedrik, and the city's Mayor Mikhail Chernyshev. Guests shared warm words with the children and their teachers, emphasizing the high educational standards of the Ohr Avner Chabad Day School. In his speech, the Mayor stated that this redeemed building constitute historical justice and proof that national Diasporas in the city continue to advance to create a multi-cultural environment in this southern Russian city.
School Director Tamara Popova congratulated the children, reading out a thank-you letter written by the local community to Rostov Region Governor V. Chub, who rendered assistance in the restitution of this historical building to the Jewish community.
Community Chairman Yuri Rubinov and the city's Chief Rabbi, Chaim Friedman, also spoke at this inauguration event, where a red ribbon was cut to symbolize the school's opening. Children and guests took a tour of the building, with its freshly-painted walls, state-of-the-art equipment, wonderful gym and library, and colorful information stands. Finally, first-graders received a set of gifts to help them in their studies and the first bell sounded to open the new school season.
The Or Menachem Ohr Avner school of Rostov gratefully acknowledges the generous support and funding of the Ohr Avner Foundation for operation and maintenance of their day school which is part of a network of 71 Ohr Avner day schools and 60 kindergartens throughout the Former Soviet Union, in addition to numerous yeshivas, universities and Sunday schools operated by FJC member communities across the region.
Named in memory of Avner Leviev, the Ohr Avner Foundation was established and is funded by Mr. Lev and Olga Leviev.
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